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• October 21, 2008
• Runway and Shows

Southern Comfort

Our west-coast connoisseur uncovers the best of L.A. Fashion Week. By Sydney Pfaff

Alright already! Enough about the cliches and predictability of Los Angeles Fashion Week. In fact, there were a number of talented designers showing off noteworthy collections, and if this ends up being the last of the city's 5-year-old event due to the mighty IMG dissolving their participation, well, it was a strong finale. Here are our picks of the almost-week's highlights…

Suh-Tahn
Contrast was a common theme in Suh-Tahn's spring collection. Black and white, opaque mixed with transparent, and so on. Designers Shannon Nataf and Dimitry Tcharfas created an ethereal feeling within the monochromatic looks, many of which were inspired by the body and details of jellyfish. Transparent white blouses with flowing ruffles and sleeveless cowl-neck tops were paired with partially transparent, tight leggings and cuffed shorts, while the few non-monochromatic outfits incorporated chambray vests and blazers. Toward the end of the show, models worked some slightly edgier looks covered in zippers and continuing on that intriguing transparent/opaque path.

Katy Rodriguez
After co-founding renowned vintage boutique Resurrection and dabbling in design with her business partner, Katy Rodriguez decided to set out on her own to create her eponymous collection. The line focuses heavily on dresses, many in bold geometric prints and others in solid black or white. Her cuts are pristine, as are her tailoring skills—whether it's a tight, hourglass cocktail dress or a striped A-line prairie dress, Rodriguez truly has an eye for flattering fits. Rounding out the line with colorful tunics, sleeveless vests, and cuffed pants confirmed she's capable of producing more than just pretty dresses. We'll say it: This collection could possibly fill our entire spring '09 wardrobe.

Crispin & Basilio
Designer Donny Barrios started designing menswear before venturing into women's clothing. And we're glad he made the move. Heavy on subtle details like knots of fabric and delicate folds, his spring collection was full of luxurious silks and chiffons, and lots of gorgeous draping. Barrios created simple silhouettes in beautifully bold colors like salmon, peach, and shades of blue, and the lustrous sheen of metallic accents offered just enough L.A. glam without going overboard.